Our in-house Interior Design expert Kerena Berry– Designbx shares her insight into the emerging Trends for 2020.  This year will see a pull toward more dynamic and stimulating interiors.  Iterations of each of the below trends will transpire across various styles; Boho, Luxe, Coastal, the rules are being pushed, and more than ever styles are being bled together in an individually creative manner. It’s time to release those creative juices!   

GEO UNION

In a constantly changing and dynamic world we are trending towards paying closer attention to the earth’s surface- the changes, causes and effects. We will continue to evolve and take a finer look at how we influence the environment and the results of our lifestyles.  In this heightened awareness we will start the blend with our surroundings, drawing on integrating textures of clay, concrete, minerals, foliage and rock sediments through pattern and prints. The palette is a meridian of neutral earth tones. “Fabric and wallpaper applications will be the hero elements for this trend’ Berry– Designbx

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FINE OPTIMISM

This season sees a yearning for something comforting and pleasing.  A celebration of the past and evolving it with the new. Antique aesthetics, french textiles and unobtrusive print and patterns.  Colours are delicate sun faded and organic tones. This is a bright happy space.

Berry says “Layering is key here. A fan of colours and patterns can comfortably share a single space, however, a similar tonal range will be the key element to ensure a refined design”  

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sources:  thecoolhour.com, refinery29.com, ebay.com, nicolevalentinedon.com, somegram.com, instagram (@bohemiandecor), amapofdreams.com, vsco.com (vscovibess), attirepin.com

COUTURE BOHEMIAN

Inspired by the desire for expression and creativity, pulling from the free spirited lifestyle of artists, philosophers and writers.  “ This is one style we have seen a huge influx in our projects over the last 6 months. Australian’s are welcoming richer tones and heavier fabrics into the home and commercial spaces”- Berry.

We look to focus on an eclectic style of gilded neutrals, deep saturated jewel tones overlayed with considerate and detailed bohemian patterns. “Embracing the idea that “More is more”, colour, texture and pattern clash adding a daring twist with theatrical drama” Globewest

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2020 sees us taking everything up to the next level. Colour, texture, prints and patterns being pushed to surprise. A little piece of the past, future and present all colliding to create familiar yet challenging new designs – almost anything goes!

“It is refreshing to foremost see variety. A beautiful layering of modern techniques, with old era soul, and consideration and pull to nature’s forms and tones.” Kerena Berry Designbx

-Kerena Berry is a Senior Interior Designer and co-founder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.  

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Why not start by celebrating the Spring season at Floriade Tulip Festival. The festival runs from Saturday 16th of September till Sunday 15th of October at Commonwealth Park, Canberra, so get in while it lasts.  

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Florals are a must this season. There are so many simple yet effective ways to incorporate beautiful, fresh floral patterns into your home.

1. Tulips made for the indoors

Many Tulips thrive outside in the Spring air but there are some that are perfect to liven up your indoors. For shorter indoor Tulips try ‘Stresa’ and for taller Tulips try ‘Apricot Beauty’. You can even grow your own Tulips in a vase inside, simply follow the steps on Home Life. They are the perfect way to add colour and bring Spring indoors. Tulips blend perfectly with neutral colours and bold coloured accessories. For more inspiration on indoor plants, head to The House Shop.

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2. Big, bold and beautiful floral interior designs

Be brave and go bold. When thinking of brightly coloured floral patterns, most people imagine an overbearing room that is a mix between disaster and a headache. Use bold floral interior designs sparingly  and complement florals with neutral colours such as whites and cool greys. Whether it be floral wallpaper, cushions, rugs, pictures or bed linen, your house will keep it’s modern style and fit the season. For a beautiful bold picture, try Designbx’s Tropical Lady Print.

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3. Vintage florals in a modern home

Bring back the good old days with some vintage style floral patterns. If you want to give your home a retro feel, try vintage floral wallpapers, accompanied by timber or coloured furniture. You could also try floral tiles in your bathroom or kitchen.

Match your florals with this Blue Ottoman, that fits perfectly with the retro/vintage theme. For more inspiration and tips on wallpaper patterns, check out Wallpaper Wonders.

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4. Luscious leaves

If florals aren’t your thing, then perhaps you would prefer non flowering plants to incorporate into your home. Monstera plants are rising in popularity. You may have never heard of them but there’s a good chance you have seen the pattern somewhere.

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These lush green leaves are featured on cushions, rugs, paintings and wallpapers. They create a modern yet fresh Spring look in the home, as they can be styled with neutral coloured furniture. There are also many other leaf patterns that look great on walls and accessories alike. Check out Designbx’s Palm Cushion.

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For more inspiration for your Spring decorating, check out Designbx’s Boho Sanctuary or Luxe Parent Retreat.

The post Top 4 floral interior designs to bring into your home this season appeared first on Designbx.

With Queen Elizabeth’s 91st birthday just around the corner, at Designbx we thought what better time to throw together a party in her honour. If you have little ones, you know that any excuse for a party is excuse enough.

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To pull together a tea party, you need the essentials: scones, tiny sandwiches and of course, tea. But why stop there? The Queen only turns 91 once, right? You can always bring in some macaroons and a beautiful naked cake. And what’s a celebration without a cheeky glass of bubbly (or two).

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When it comes to keeping the kiddies entertained, set up a Queen Card making station. They can let their creative side go wild making birthday cards for Her Majesty. You can even download and print custom colouring pages here. And nothing will make her day like receiving birthday well-wishes from her subjects Down Under.

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High tea has traditionally been known to be quite a stuffy affair, but all that is changing. Use this event as an opportunity to channel your inner Kate Middleton by bringing out your most fabulous hats and ask your guests to do the same.

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If you really want to nail the look, pull together any and all tufted furniture pieces. Mix and match with different coloured and textured chairs. A timber table paired with a dainty white lace or even a floral table runner will help to create the perfect balance of rustic elegant charm. Don’t be afraid to mix metals or even flatware.

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Are you planning a party for the Queen’s Birthday? Share your ideas in the comment section below. 

The post A party fit for a Queen appeared first on Designbx.

Your bedroom should be a place of rest without the stress of work or the over stimulation of technology. With winter fast approaching, days will become shorter, light will fade to dark, and weather will become
unpredictable. This results in a shift from the outdoors to interiors and you begin to feel the urge to cuddle up under the covers with a cup of cocoa and a great book. Here are some easy master bedroom decorating ideas that will create a cozy, welcoming sanctuary that you won’t want to leave.

1. Master bedroom bedding

Look for quality bedding, thick textiles and soft natural fibers such as wool, down, linen or flannel. Wool can make the perfect quilt cover or throw, and down is very lightweight but warm. Linen has high air permeability and heat conductivity properties, meaning it’s a breathable fabric that makes you warm in the winter and keeps you cool in the summer, not to mention it’s great for people with allergies while also having the benefit of being eco friendly.

Flannel, while not as stylish as the others, is ideal to use as a bottom sheet. It helps trap your body warmth, which will keep you snug during those chilly mornings when you don’t want to get out of bed. Layer your sheets, quilt, throws, runners and cushions similar to the way you add jackets to jumpers. Dress your bed with a big, fluffy quilt and cushy pillows. By piling on the different textiles, your bed will look like something you could sink into. Layering can increase your physical comfort, please the eye, and change the ambience of your room.

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2. Window dressings

Window dressings will help keep the warmth in, and the cold out. They can be used both as a decorative element of the bedroom design while also being practical. ‘Hard’ window treatments such as plantation shutters and roller blinds can offer varying degrees of insulating protection for chilly drafts. ‘Soft’ window treatments made of fabrics such as floor to ceiling drapery panels, gently frame your window and absorb sound, softening and completing a room. Custom window treatments are an important design element. Bare windows can feel cold and uninviting.

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3. Rugs

If your home is covered with floorboards or tiles it may feel rather cold and bare during winter. A rug in your bedroom will create a welcoming feel, providing warmth and softness underfoot. The bigger the better! It will also help to anchor your room’s décor and colour scheme.

While we’re on the topic of rugs, why not add another? This is a great way to cover a large space without investing in a room-sized rug. It’s also an easy way to subtly but effectively break an open space into zones, adding extra depth and interest to your room. Choose contrasting textures or patterns for a unique look that’s truly you, or alternatively you could add sheepskin or faux fur rugs on top of an existing carpet, rug or floorboards to bring extra warmth and comfort for your feet in the morning.

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4. Lighting

Be sure to pick bulbs with warm tones for your bedroom. White globes are generally used to stimulate the brain in workplaces and this is certainly not the feel you want when you’re trying to settle down for the night. Your bedroom lighting could also benefit if controlled by dimmers, which will allow for various effects.

To add some more warmth to your room, consider some low, soft lighting such as a bedside lamp with a low-watt bulb (40 or lower) and a softly diffused shade. Candles are also one of my favourite winter warmers. They create a beautiful ambience, smell amazing and help add warmth on a cold winter’s night. If you’re feeling bold go neon artwork.

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5. Fresh Flowers and greenery

With our lifestyles moving indoors, we continue to want to feel connected with the outdoors to offset our busy lifestyles and ever-growing dependence on technology. This has encouraged the trend of letting the outdoors in. Spoil yourself with some fresh-cut stems or live greenery! Nothing brings a breath of life to a drab wintry day better than elements of nature. If you’re not a green thumb, why not opt for a framed print, cushion or realistic artificial plant?

Getting your bedroom ready for winter starts now. With these five master bedroom decorating ideas, not only will you have a little head start to get the look you want; it might give you a few extra cups of cocoa, if you’re lucky.

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Elise Finnerty is an interior decorator and stylist. She is passionate about beautiful spaces that are accessible and affordable for everyone. She has appeared in publications such as Yours magazine, Sunday style and more. You will find her working from her home Office or for Designbx “Australia’s online interior design solution”

The post 5 great master bedroom ideas for winter appeared first on Designbx.

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 Brass and Marble and Peonies…Oh My!

We might have died and gone to tablescape heaven with this spread. Everything about it is luxe. But what we love best is that designer Emily Henderson hasn’t restricted the beautiful pastel colours associated with Easter celebrations to just flowers and linens. Don’t be afraid to incorporate coloured tapered candles and even chicly dyed Easter eggs into the mix. Bonus points for a golden egg. 

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Eye contact, please!

If avoiding hot topics like politics is one surefire way to guarantee your gathering goes off without a hitch, then the other is keeping overbearing plant life at bay. It’s important to remember to keep your flowers below eye level to ensure the conversation continues to flow throughout the meal. Sugar and Cloth nailed the look with their hanging upside down flower basket concept. You can read their tips for creating your own here.  

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Sometimes less is more

For something sophisticated and chic, just a single leafy branch accompanied by a few scattered candles can be a simple and affordable solution to a table runner. Just add some very #ontrend timber place settings and a muted tablecloth and you have an Easter brunch fit for Scandinavian royalty.   

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Paper Flower, Staying Power

We all love fresh flowers but every once in a while a good imposter can give the real thing a run for its money. These paper flowers scattered in eclectic vases are a great example. This look, created by The Cobra Lily and creative director Brynn of Dandy & Fine Parties for 100 Layer Cake strikes an incredible balance of simple elegance mixed with bohemian refinement.

But if making paper flowers isn’t your thing, or you’re just too time-poor for that kind of craftiness, then you can always leave it to the experts at Pink Cherry Mama to make some for you. After all, when your flowers last years rather than weeks, we’d say these little guys might just beat the real thing. 

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Natural whimsy

It’s not every day we see a timber table with so much natural beauty, but if you’re lucky enough to own one, by all means, show it off! A simple runner punctuated by gorgeous flowers allows the character of the wood to shine through, and the organic plates flanked by charming flatware makes us feel like we could spend hours drinking Rosé at this table.

This look lends itself to mixing and matching with glorious perfection. We could see mis-matched chairs and multi-patterned china and even pastel coloured glassware feeling right at home here. So if you’ve got it, definitely flaunt it.

Read more on this Easters hero colour Ruby Red. 

The post Five gorgeous tablescapes to have your guests swooning this Easter appeared first on Designbx.

 We prescribe to the “an office in a box” approach. Working in the digital era should allow you to use a fashionable box, basket, or leather bag as your portable office. If you can’t fit your necessities in a single storage item then it’s time to streamline your business and become more digital-focused. Less is more in every way!

2. Creature comforts

Busy professionals spend a lot of time on the job, so it’s essential for your office to be comfortable. Design your space to fit your creature habits. If you work best standing, look to source ergonomic standing desks. If you love doing inspired work in a relaxed environment, add oversized beanbags and casual seating to your space to get those creative juices flowing. 

3. Light bulb moments

Lighting is a fundamental design element for any work space, and variety is often key.  Depending on your profession, light requirements can vary. Programmers prefer darker spaces to ease the strain on eyes, where as designers prefer more natural light to view true colours. If you’re relying on ceiling lights as your primary source, add freestanding lamps, desk lights and pendants as focal lighting. The great thing is you can really play with scale, colour and texture here to add some wow factor to the office.

4. Bring the outdoors in

There’s nothing like indoor plants to bring an office to life. The benefits are not only visually striking but offer natural purification for your space and bring a sense of home to the commercial interior design world.  If lighting is poor and your budget is entry-level then look at artificial plants. The quality is hard to fault these days. You could opt to create a ‘live wall’ effect, or hang an array of ferns from the ceiling to create a little jungle fever!

5. Business projections

Most offices have big walls that they struggle to decorate or are unable to cover due to leasing restrictions.  A great way to add wow factor is the use of projectors. You can source some amazing wireless projectors from office supply shops and project beautifully designed and branded images onto your walls. The great thing is you can change the imagery as often as you like (you may have a weekly theme) and these devices can move with you, adopting to any surroundings.   

6. Give your brand a soundtrack

Don’t underestimate the effect of audio. Interior design is about tapping into all the senses. Some offices feel lifeless as there’s no positive noise, especially at a reception or entry area. Look to play music that gives your internal team and clients a sense of your brand’s personality.

7. The fragrance of success

While we’re on the subject of senses, don’t neglect smell.  An office space can be visually stunning but if the air quality doesn’t reflect productivity and creativity, the office can be effected. In Japan the Takasago Corporation carried out research into how smells affect the accuracy of typists. It found “54% made fewer errors when they could smell lemon, 33% fewer with jasmine, and 20% fewer with lavender,” reports Jon Card in the UK Guardian newspaper.

Pop a few vaporisers around the office in secluded areas and place them on timers to start early so people arriving are greeted with a fresh, invigorating smelling office. Time them to come on throughout the day to keep the spirits high!

Shop our new office look

Coastal Office
Time to take action? The Designbx Team are ready to help

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Pantone has become the world-renowned leader on colour, and produces cutting-edge technology for the selection of colour across a multitude of industries. They provide an international language for colour communication between designers, manufacturers, retailers and clients.

Creative communities around the world turn to Pantone for technical and inspirational colour tools, and every year we wait eagerly for the release of Pantone’s Colour of the Year.

What is the PANTONE 2017 Color of the Year?

It’s a symbolic colour selection; a colour that summarises the current climate of our global culture, its emotion and frame of mind.

Pantone has introduced Greenery (Pantone 15-0343) as it’s 2017 hero.

“Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment,” says Leatrice Eisemen, Executive Director of Pantone Colour Institute. “Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalise, Greenery symbolises the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.”

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Pantone 2017 names Greenery “Nature’s Neutral”. It can pair with most colours and flourish.  Below are some combinations that we’ll certainly see across the the various design industries this year: fashion, interiors, graphics and beauty, to name a few.

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Bring passion and vitality to your designs with this truly trans-seasonal colour.  We’re all for going green!

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Designbx | Pantone’s Colour of the Year – Greenery | www.designbx.com

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The cool bedrooms of famous monarchs are well within reach. To turn your drab bedroom into a boudoir starts with the essentials—those images that come to mind when you remember period pieces or the art of antiquity: the majestic four-poster with a large, extravagant bedhead that adds scale.

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Peach and plump!

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Buttons, studs, leather, mirror, this is pure Luxe!

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Come on folks; we’re spoiling ourselves here, so let’s do it properly. Can you ever have enough cushions? That’s a trick question of course. No self-respecting member of the nobility would settle for less than a small mountain of them, filled to excess with feathers.

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Cool bedrooms include layers of breathable bed linen. From the interior design styles of Coastal to Luxe, there’s a wonderfully excessive boudoir to fit most styles. The softness of Coastal is an obvious way to guarantee comfort (cotton, hemp and bamboo) while Luxe fabrics for cushions, bedheads, ottomans and window treatments offer a truly stately appeal.

Why not mix and match your linens to create depth…

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In all cases, start by being bold, and that includes artwork, with special attention to frames. Similarly, the use of ornately framed mirrors helps to enlarge the space. As you decorate, treat each item like art, including a signature item of furniture—perhaps a large, luxurious armchair in a corner.

Bold in size and colour

In stark contrast, colour is the one factor that requires a more subdued approach. Make your bold statements with pattern, texture and scale instead. While classic boudoirs were lavish, they were not loud. Remember that this is a space where you need to truly feel relaxed. Lighting is crucial. Like your choices of colour, avoid anything that has a jarring or abrasive effect. Stylish pendent lights are an effective way of adding a Luxe interior design feel.

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Organise the bits and bobs of your vanity area in crystal boxes and place creams in glass bottles. Along with Lucite make-up organisers, these garnishes add opulence while removing clutter. Having pampered your senses of touch and sight, don’t forget to add the right scents.

Flowers ignite the senses

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Fresh flowers provide the final touch, and give your boudoir a unique and changeable flourish that makes your bedroom feel like a hotel get-away. Why escape when you can spoil yourself at home?

The post Cool bedrooms: From Bedroom to Boudoirs appeared first on Designbx.

Wallpaper has become extremely popular these days, bringing a dramatic effect and a solution for a quick room transformation. With wallpaper you can incorporate colour and get the added benefit of pattern. In fact, with its endless varieties, from bold florals to vintage-style graphics to nostalgic textures, wallpapers are not only making a comeback but here to stay for a good reason. Check out the latest trends and styles.

Tropical Escapism

Blossoming landscapes for your walls are a major trend for 2016, designed to carry you away to a distant land. Delicate botanic paintings, tropical flowers, fragrant orchid blossoms, palm leaves and textures of water colors are filling the catalogs. Welcome to the jungle.

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Slate, Wood, Concrete and Brick

Surfaces of silver and gold motifs giving the impression of a rusty storage or downtown loft create an inspiring living and working atmosphere. Wallpapers mimicking slate, wood paneling and brick popular than ever.

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3D Vision

We are already immersed in the 3D era of geometric patterns. Wallpapers with dynamic dominant geometries shapes and forms give the interior a sense of new minimalism. The graphics are meant to capture and comment on our information age with bright colours and geometric forms.

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Nostalgic Charm

The opulence of the 19^th century brings to the interior classic ornamentation in a shabby chic style, floral, and delicate baroque-inspired effects with gold combinations.

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The post Wallpaper Wonders appeared first on Designbx.

This season’s Colour Crush is pink. With early spring-summer fashions already in stores, its hard to resist pink home decor, which dominate this years seasonal colour palette. From soft pastel blushes to more pale sugary tones – pink is confirmed as the colour of the season. Fashion designers have filled the catwalks for with pink and this unique shade works just as well as in the home. Some of our favourite European furniture brands like Vitra, The Republic of Fritz Hansen, Mutto and more, are releasing their most iconic furniture items in a pastel pink version – demonstrating how far this trend has spread the world over. If youre feeling ready to take the pink plunge, remember that decorating with pink shades can actually make a room appear larger. Pink is great for achieving a soothing, romantic atmosphere.

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Top Furniture Buys in Pink – 2016

1.Eames Chair | Vitra

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2. The Wishbone Chair | Carl Hansen&Son

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3.The Slow Chair | Vitra

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4. Series 7 | Republic of Fritz Hansen

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Top Trends

1. LAYERING VARIOUS PINKS TOGETHER

This year we are going to see how the pastel pink colour pallets are influenced from the fashion world, adopting layers of colour not only within the overall decor but also within each piece of furniture. Besides, this is an excellent way for brightening up a space. The pink tones establish the illusion of light. Layering various pinks together adds up a volume and sense of depth.

2. PAIRING PINK WITH OTHER PASTELS

We love soft pinks, mints, pale lilacs and butter yellows. There are endless ways to pair pastel pink with other pastels. from painting a single wall with a pastel shade to combining different accessories such as throw pillows, vases and or just mix in the dining room different colours of the same dining chair.

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3. COMBINING A SOFT PINK WITH TAN AND ORANGE REDS

Pink and red create a warm glow, vibration and excitement because of their closeness on the colour wheel. This combination creates a dynamic and exciting tension. In 2016 we will mix creams, whites and neutrals into the interior design to give it a tailored freshness and conceptual underline.

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4. EXTREMELY POPULAR IN THE MALE FASHION

Apparently Pink is not just for girls. YES! real men wear pink. As well as being a cheerful, happy shade, it is also an extremely flattering colour for men. The U.S secretary of State John Carry appears to have a penchant for pink ties, and it looks wonderful every time he shows up on T.V. Another classy example which attracts the males attention is found in the car industry. Check out the Aston Martin late special edition. Inspired by the great spirit of James Bond, the car contains a PINK interior. Its called the Q by DB9 Volante. The leather interior is officially referred to as blush pearl. It is extremely trendy especially with its matching luggage set – all in pink.

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5. WOOL AND LEATHER TOP MATERIALS FOR THIS COLOUR

Most of the pastel pink home decor items released this year show that it’s all about the right tailoring. Our home accessories will be inspired by traditional crafts such as wool crochet, knitting and patching, showing up in the form of cushion covers, crocheted throws, patch work rugs and wool knitted stools.

6. PINK WITH FLURO TRIM

When it comes to pink, geometric patterns, mandalas, chevron and fluro trim pillows and curtains are a lovely way to present the colour into the interior. An opportunity for the stylists at heart to freshen the room. No need to remodel the entire room to get the look. Just add a few pillows with neon pink patterns, or with mini pompom trim in neon pink to spice up your home.

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Top Styling Tips

1. BLEND WITH NATURAL TEXTURES AND HUES

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2. MAKE IT SCANDINAVIAN

The Scandinavian appeal is everywhere and the secret trick is to pair pastel pink with greys and a touch of black.

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3. GIVE IT A PROPER BACKGROUND

Invest in a bleached parquet, natural finished wooden furniture and soft carpets.

4. ADD NOSTALGIA

Add a few antiques or shabby chic items in gold as well with periodical oil paintings, old light fixtures, or flower stands to help maintain a nostalgic look.

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